Family Chefmate: Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Southern buttermilk biscuits are heavenly to eat for dinner or breakfast. The southern trick to making really great biscuits is good soft wheat, cold lard and a very hot oven. I have made this recipe several times this month and I have been pleasantly pleased with these mouth watering biscuits. Spread some homemade strawberry jam on these biscuits or make a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. My twin 8 year old boys love these southern biscuits for dinner with lots of honey dripping from them. This recipe comes from The Gift Of Southern Cooking by Scott Peacock. The only change I made was regular baking soda instead of using Scott's homemade baking soda. I also found making this recipe that you needed to increase the amount of buttermilk then the book called for. Poor the buttermilk slowly into the recipe that way you can adjust the amount you need.

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits:
Pre-heat oven: 500 degrees
Makes: 15-20 2 1/2 inch biscuits

5 cups sifted White Lily flour or bread flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 cup (1/2 pound) packed lard, chilled
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add the cold lard in small pieces into the flour mixture. (Hint: cut the lard into small pieces and place on a plate. Cool in the freezer for 5 minutes or until cold.) Using a pastry knife or your fingers blend the lard with the flour until it resembles small pieces. Pour in the buttermilk slowly until the dough just comes together, don't over mix. Adjust the amount of buttermilk you will need (if the dough is dry and will not come together add more buttermilk 1 tablespoon at a time. If the dough is to wet and will not come together add a little more flour 1 tablespoon at a time).

Cutting The Lard Into the Flour Mixture With A Pastry Knife

2. Flour a work surface, then place the dough on the floured surface and knead the dough 8 times. Flatten the dough with your hands or rolling pin until it reaches 1/2" thickness. Using a biscuit cutter cut the biscuits out but don't twist the cutter. Place the biscuits on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake in a 500 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the biscuits from the oven and brush with melted butter.

Bringing The Biscuit Dough Together To Form A Ball